I posted this somewhere else on the forum, but since I'm at work, I'm not going to search for it, I'll just repost.

First suggestion: * Research on google for companies in your field, in your area. Corporations post on job boards, but a lot of smaller companies don't post their job requisitions anywhere--- they just look for people in their client base or related fields. Which means, lots of opportunities where you wouldn't be competing with hundreds/thousands of other applicants.

* Once you find companies in your area, look at their websites for openings (obviously). But if they don't have any positions listed that look like a match for you, don't give up--- CALL THE COMPANY! Ask for the name of the owner & email of the owner if it's a smaller company, of the VP/Director of the department you would work in. GOAL: GET THEM TO CREATE A JOB FOR YOU! Don't let yourself get routed to a recruiter! You want to get to the person who makes the hiring decision, not the recruiter who weeds out the applicant. A hiring manager has the ability to turn over the resume/information to the HR department, if he likes you. Once you have the owner/VP/Director's email address---- send your resume direct to them.Note: This is what I've done for the last 10 years. I have contacted companies who don't have job postings, been told they don't have any openings now or short-term in the future. But because I worked to get to the CEO/VP level for a contact, a job wound up being 'created' for me once they saw my resume. This DOES work! It's how I was offered 3 of the 5 positions I've had in the last 10 years.

* Look at related fields: If you're a teacher, but have a hard time getting into a school district--- then look into opportunities to be a trainer at companies. What you've done as a teacher is *very* similar to corporate trainers, and the pay is definitely going to be MUCH better. I worked in technology, as a trainer/programmer/project manager in telecommunications. Which made me a good candidate for IT positions, and computer software positions.

* Tap into the vendor relationship: If you worked with specific vendors in your job, let them know you're looking for a new position. Many times they can point you in a direction, make an intro call for you, etc... On my last day of work with the last company I worked for, I notified my vendors of their new contact person. By the end of the day, I had received job offers from 3-4 companies across the nation.

* Everyone knows that once you interview, you send a 'thank you' to the employer for their time, effort and consideration. But, how boring is that? Would you remember one of 10 different letters you received as an employer? How about sending something like a 'cookie bouquet' instead? If you are *really* interested in the position, do a more 'unique' thank you--- it puts you light years ahead of the competition!!

When you submit your resume to a higher up (CEO/VP/Director level), make it stand out with things like this:

* Hand present it, if possible: You've worked hard to get a contact with some pull, so why send the resume with the same method everyone else uses (email, job application). If they are close enough, go to their office and ask for a few minutes of their time to hand deliver. Sometimes they are available, but if they aren't available, then put your resume in an envelope addressed to that person, seal it, and ask to hand deliver it to their 'right hand' person.

* Put together a package of information: Your resume, reference letters, examples of work if possible, anything this person would ask for later on. Give it to them up front to make reviewing as easy as possible, taking up less of their time in tracking down what they want/need from you. PACKAGING IS EVERYTHING! Put it in a presentation binder (like a sales proposal). This makes you stand out. If this person has a pile of 100 paper resumes on his desk, think about how easy he can find your resume in that stack if it's in a presentation binder!

* If you REALLY want to get into this company---- overnight your resume with a signed receipt. It can be expensive if you do this frequently, so I would only do it for those jobs/companies you are really serious about getting your foot in the door at.

When you are job hunting, you have now just become a salesman. You are trying to convince an employer that of the 500-1000 resumes he receives for one job, that YOU are the person he should hire. Think like the hiring manager and try to anticipate his needs from you: What can you show him that makes you exceptional? How can you make the hiring process easier for him? I once applied for a job outside of my industry. This put me at a disadvantage to other candidates who had experience in the industry. The job was to write RFP's to meet government requirements. So to give me an edge, I submitted my resume with a 300 page RFP I had written in the past. This got my foot in the door all the way up to the VP.

Another tip: Try to be the LAST person they interview. Reason: In most surveys, business people remember both the first and the last interview they conducted. In the first interview, they may be more easily 'wowed' by a prospect and not ask enough questions because they haven't met the other candidates to compare you to. In the last interview, they have refined their hiring inquiry and know how the other candidates measure up and will ask you all of the questions they need answers to. Example: Interview 1 is asked basic questions about their background. Interview ends. In the next 3 interviews, the candidates might have your experience, plus additional. Do you think the hiring manager is going to go back to you in order to see if you have that additional experience? Nope, he's going to cross you off and go with the one who exceeded you.

I wondered what upladder is..."Executive Jobs in Science, Construction & Real estate". What field are you in? What are you looking for?

Christa - i work in Real Estate - specifically out sales project management. ultimately i am working towards transitioning into project management. i would like to be involved in global developments as a project manager - hotels, urban in-fill, etc. i joined upladder b/c they have the most $100K+ and my market is small and the jobs that fit my profile and income and hard to find.

I am going nuts. I had an interview last Thursday before I left town for the weekend. It's for an awesome small company that is growing rapidly. Ideal location in terms of commute time. Loved the hiring manager (CFO) - very smart, innovative, all about hiring smart people, mentoring them & letting them do their job. I left very intrigued. I also got called back for a second interview with the President of the company. I went in for that on Tuesday afternoon. That also went very well. It was supposed to be a 15 minute interview & turned into an hour. Sounds all positive right? Haven't heard a damn thing. They said they were going to make their decision this week. I guess tomorrow is Friday & I should wait till then to be distressed.

have you sent a thank you card? or done a follow up somehow? my mom has always said that is a good way to impress people. If you haven't, you should drop one off tomorrow morning for both people that interviewed you.